In just a few days, after more than four years, I will walk
across the stage, accept the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree
and begin the next stage of my journey. This week I thought I might
write a long retrospective on my time here, or perhaps list a lot
of names of friends, colleagues and mentors. Instead, in the spirit
of what this blog for the naturopathic program is supposed to
convey, I will write a bit more about the program as I sign off and
hand the torch to the next blogger.

Being a Naturopathic Student at
NUHS

As with any institution, relationship, job or task, the
naturopathic program here at NUHS has attributes where it excels as
well as challenges. In many cases, those challenges help the
program to rise in other areas. One prime example is that we attend
a traditional chiropractic university. This means we may not
immediately be perceived as a bastion of naturopathic medicine and
we get a lot of physical medicine in our classes. I used to
complain about this as much as any other naturopathic student. We
are becoming primary care and internal medicine docs, so why would
we need all this adjusting, physical therapy, soft tissue work,
etc.

After more than a year in the clinic, I am happy that we were
trained so heavily in physical medicine. Many of my patients
benefited from some type of soft tissue work, physical therapy or
modality. I attribute the combined use of all tools in my
naturopathic toolbox to helping many of my patients achieve
positive outcomes.

Whether physical medicine will remain a part of National
University's naturopathic program remains to be seen. As our scope
is defined and made into law in Illinois in the coming years,
combined with the maturation, refinement and focus of our
particular school's curriculum, we may emerge as a naturopathic
program focused on the original vision and philosophy of
naturopathic medicine as the old naturopathic doctors saw it. I am
certain our program will combine that wealth of traditional
medicine with the advantage of evidence-based medicine to support
the clinical observations of nearly 150 years of North American
naturopathic practice.

Many who email me ask what to expect here at NUHS. I say expect
what you see in any organization. Those who are highly motivated to
learn everything they can, those who are trying very hard and
struggling, those who will skate by until they enter clinic and
slam head first into a brick wall, flounder, then either learn to
perform or wash out. Students who enter here will be amazed,
inspired, challenged, dejected, angered, overjoyed and feel an
incredible sense of accomplishment. You will be challenged by those
in the allopathic community on how your medicine can work alongside
their medicine (or even work). You will be ignored by family and
friends who see you as their child, sibling, friend, and anything
but an aspiring doctor. You will feel overwhelmed at times knowing
that you are in a program every bit as (and more) challenging than
allopathic medical school with as much or more cost involved, and
all the while able to practice currently with a recognized scope in
less than half of the United States of America.

At the same time, you are learning a type of medicine that truly
follows the naturopathic principle of Primum Non Nocere or
"First, do no harm." We learn to take the totality of the patient -
mind, body and soul - into account. We get to the root cause of the
illness and work with our patients (and other providers) to help
them return to their basis for health. We learn that healthy means
different things to different people and that the basis for health
is a moving target as human beings encounter different
circumstances, health challenges and ages throughout a lifetime.
Whether this is primary lesson learned by others while here, this
view that none of us "fit into a defined parameter" is the view I
will carry forward in my future practice. Each patient is unique,
with a unique set of symptoms, life experiences and exposures that
define that unique individual and their resulting unique path back
to health.

I purposely have not been using much medical terminology as I
have written this blog as, quite frankly, I feel that gets boring
for those who want to know what this medicine and school are all
about. When you attend NUHS, you will get your fill of CBCs, CMPs,
URTIs, ARDS, ECGs, TVUS, MTHFRs and HSCRPs. These terms have their
place in the classroom, not in a blog discussing life in a medical
school unless as a passing reference. My hope has been that I have
given a glimpse into the life of a naturopathic medical student
transitioning from basic didactics to clinical sciences and finally
through internship and graduation.

Thank You...

Finally, since I have shared my life for the past two years,
I'll be a bit selfish and will thank some folks who have made
strong, positive influences on my life.

My parents Rosco and Bobbie Joe Ammons - two people who have 8th
grade educations and taught me to read before kindergarten and
instilled the strong value of always educating oneself regardless
of career choice. More so, for teaching me honesty, giving others
credit for success and accepting failure as a motivator to
persevere. I love you both!

My sisters Kristie, Karen and Kathy - for being the glue holding
the family together back home as I continue my wandering through
life and the eastern half of the North American continent.

My great friend Richard - who has shared his loyalty through
both good and terrible times. You are a symbol of the power of true
friendship!

My former wife Sara - Thank you for a shared journey of
learning, growing and opening my eyes to living a healthier life,
in many ways. You are the catalyst for this endeavor.

Ignacio and Christina - Thank you for being incredible mentors,
both philosophical as well as practical. Your patience is
extraordinary and your ability to put things into perspective on
both a micro and macro level is a gift I cherish!

NUHS' Chief Naturopathic Clinician, Dr. Julia Liebich - Thank
you for leading by example, keeping the clinic a positive, cheerful
learning environment during a time of transition in our lives. You
always ensure that we have our patients' best interests and health
as the focus of our care and procedures!

Finally, my very significant other, Lauren. Thank you for
teaching me that who we want in our life is not necessarily the
person we expect and that each day in a relationship can be more
joyful, playful and rewarding than before! You make me smile and
I'm grateful for the time we have together!

With that, I begin my particular path forward. I plan to
continue a blog as I set up and build momentum in my practice after
school. I'm sure you will be able to "google" me if you are
interested in continuing to read my ramblings. I wish you the best
on your own journey, whether it includes NUHS or not. You know the
correct path for yourself! May your journey be safe, fulfilled and
successful in whatever you choose and may it bring goodness and
healing to the world in its own way!

Well everyone, I sit here writing the blog this week
unofficially finished with all classes, patient visits, competency
requirements, file audits and procedures, with the exception of
finishing my clinic hours over the coming week.

These are the minimum requirements as they stand for me as I
graduate on April 17th. In many cases, all of the interns have
accomplished far more than the minimum for many of these
requirements. These requirements evolve as the clinic grows and
matures, so if you are starting now, you should see an expanded
skillset in future trimesters!

Total Clinic Hours: 1230

Primary patient visits: 225

Secondary patient visits: 225

Total Patient visits: 450

First Office Intakes: 20

Screening (Full Body) Physical Exams: 15

Complaint Oriented Physical Exams: 30

Orthopedic Exams: 10

Female Sensitive Exams: 3

Male Sensitive Exams: 3

Dietary Assessments: 25

Dietary Modifications: 25

Nutritional Supplementation: 25

In Office Hydrotherapy: 20

Physical Medicine (PT): 15

Manipulative Therapy: 15

Homeopathy, Acute Remedy: 15

Homeopathy, Constitutional Remedy: 1

Botanical Medicine, Tincture: 10

Botanical Medicine, Product: 20

Venipuncture: 15

Lab Reporting: 15

Outreach Hours for Clinic: 20

File Audits: 15

Hydrotherapy Room

Speaking of requirements, since I have finished mine I'm helping
out the interns currently working on the hydrotherapy shift,
assisting the 8th trimester interns with their patients, updating
paperwork and mentoring those following me in clinic. I have shared
a pic of one of the hydro rooms with the Hubbard tank (as a peat
bath fills) and the Russian steam cabinet. In other words, plenty
of work is always available in the NUHS naturopathic clinic.
Patients are filling the waiting room as they discover our clinic
and all it has to offer!

Well, next week will be my final blog as a naturopathic student
and intern here at NUHS. I'll do my best to capture the feeling,
emotions and challenges ahead with my entry next week.

I admit that I'm starting to reminisce already about my time
here at NUHS. Here are just a few of my thoughts this week as
things start to wind down and rev up for the next part of this
adventure!

As each of the 10th trimester Interns complete their patient
numbers and competencies, transition their patients to the Interns
advancing from observation to the main clinic, and prepare for the
next step beyond graduation (whether joining or opening a practice,
continuing with another license or starting a family), I believe
each one has taken the first step on a journey of helping others
with minimally invasive therapies to become healthier.

Spring 2014 will see 11 new doctors of naturopathic medicine
graduate from NUHS. These doctors will be prepared to help those
with chronic illness determine the underlying cause of their
disease, and where possible with the therapies that we are taught
to utilize and our rigorous training on the human body and its
functions, work together as teammates to return our patients to
their basis for health.

This is a bittersweet time for many of us. Those of us who have
developed close friendships over the past 4-5 years and fostered a
sense of teamwork, cooperation, learning, teaching and
accomplishment will be stepping out on our own. We will be making
our way in the world as healer, educator, family, friend and human
being. While we will be making our singular way, we know that we
will have the support of our colleagues, loved ones and our
patients.

Ultimately, the support of our patients is the driving force
that allows us (motivates us) to take the next leap as we begin our
journey in a profession with a scope that currently exists in only
18 states and territories along with the District of Columbia in
the United States. This is both an exciting and scary time for
many, especially the younger new docs who are stepping out into the
working world for the first time. I continue to encourage my
colleagues with the notion that they are very well educated, well
trained new naturopathic doctors who are going to make a positive,
healing impact upon their patients' lives. As long as that is their
motivation and they manage their practice wisely, they will be
rewarded with a full practice as word of their expertise
spreads.

Until next week, most likely with a bit more reminiscing, enjoy
the spring season and renewal of the sun's warmth!

Between the patient visits, acting as mentors for our rising
classmates, completing outreach hours for the clinic, sitting and
discussing conditions with our clinicians, preparing our grand
rounds presentations, and double checking charting and paperwork,
we don't have much time for anything else.

For some reason, I thought this part of the internship
experience would be a time to sit back, relax and enjoy the
clinical experience. I suppose I was pretty far off target on this
notion. I am thoroughly enjoying myself however. The clinicians
have given the 10th Trimester Interns a bit more autonomy with the
diagnoses, treatment plans and conversations with our patients. We
are now expected to train our underclassmen in clinic protocol,
procedures and patient interaction. This is an exciting time!

The clinic is hopping today and is chock full of naturopathic
patients! What a great problem to have in our little clinic! The
word seems to be getting out about the services, therapies and
treatments available at the NUHS Whole Health Center.

As the weather changes, the temps rise and spring arrives here
in Chicagoland, the NUHS Whole Health Center, the naturopathic
medical school and our students are rising to the occasion, growing
and sharing our knowledge, skills and healing therapies with our
neighbors in greater numbers!

This past weekend was hectic, fun-filled and fulfilling all at
the same time! Many naturopathic and chiropractic interns from NUHS
served as volunteers both Saturday and Sunday at the American Lung
Association's Fight for Air Climb in downtown Chicago.

The Fight for Air Climb is set up so that participants can climb
the stairs of prominent local buildings throughout the country,
getting great exercise, reaching a fitness milestone or competing,
all while raising money to prevent lung disease. Participants
climbed one, two, three or all four of the Presidential Towers, a
residential high-rise complex in Chicago. Each building has 45
floors (585 steps) for a grand total of 180 floors and 2,340 steps
that could be scaled by participants.

In the words of the organization itself, the climbers climb
for...

Those who suffer from lung cancer

Those who struggle to breathe because of air pollution

Those who suffer from asthma

Those who cannot breathe on their own

Saturday's activities involved setting up the event by staging
all the water, bananas and energy snacks for the participants
throughout the four towers. Then we had to move the tables, signage
and decorations to the appropriate common areas where the
participants would be traversing between buildings during the
climb. Finally, the most poignant activity was placing the 'In
Memoriam' signs throughout the stairwells of all four buildings.
Participants could name a family member, friend or loved one for
whom they were climbing and have the opportunity to let that person
know that they were missed and still loved.

Sunday included working at the watering station on Floor 19 of
Tower 2 (of four towers). We saw firefighters climbing with full
gear (including air tank), friends leading blind loved ones, full
families, corporate teams, a team of tooth fairies (none of which
were shorter than 6'2") and a gaggle of Leprechauns who must have
been training for the St. Patrick's Day rush! Sunday was a true
pleasure to cheer on the participants who, through their physical
and fund raising efforts, would be able to help so many!

So, while this weekend started out as the last great opportunity
to finish the required community outreach hours (being entirely
honest), the emotional and spiritual return on taking the time to
be with the dedicated climbers, volunteers and building staff at
the towers downtown was an experience I won't soon forget!